From the Bookshelf of Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn…

Just Like Heaven (Smythe-Smith, #1)

Julia Quinn

Start date: June 1, 2011

Finish date: June 30, 2011

Discussion: Monthly Read

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Monthly Read

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What Members Thought

Mar 02, 2011 (Nat) Reading Romances rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: must-read, i-love

A Quinn Delight!
I always find myself laughing when I read a Julia Quinn novel, and I can’t seem to control it! Although the author could’ve done a better job, I had a great time reading Just Like Heaven!
We are delighted to meet again some of our favorite characters from the Bridgerton series. I won’t spoil it for you, but Lady Danbury is always such a joy to see! She has one of her best scenes ever in this book, quite hilarious!
The main couple was excellent together, I loved how relaxed they fel ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: audible-book, own-kindle, 2021-reads, 2013-reads, whispersync

2021 Audio Update ... It's been awhile since I've read this series, and it was nice to reminded how much I love Julia Quinn's historical romances. I love that this is the story of two very good friends who end up seeing that they are actually in love with each other. I loved that this is not a story where the two leads fall madly in love with each other immediately. They take some time to realize that what they are feeling is love. I love that this book does not focus on the physical connection 2021 Audio Update ... It's been awhile since I've read this series, and it was nice to reminded how much I love Julia Quinn's historical romances. I love that this is the story of two very good friends who end up seeing that they are actually in love with each other. I loved that this is not a story where the two leads fall madly in love with each other immediately. They take some time to realize that what they are feeling is love. I love that this book does not focus on the physical connection as much as the emotional connection between the hero and heroine. I love that they are kind to each other throughout, with no weird blip to pull them apart. Their biggest issue is that they have known each other for so long that it takes a bit of time to see each other as more than close friends, almost family. The audio version only enhances the story with the great Rosalyn Landor giving voice to these characters. I adore her narration of historical romances! I love the Smythe-Smith family with their horrible musicales that still manage to be attended by everyone each year. I'm glad I was able to hear this story and remember just how much I loved it when I first read it so many years ago. I think I'll grab the next books in the series so that I can listen to them as well.

Sometimes I forget just how much I love the writing of Julia Quinn. The Bridgertons series is my absolute favorite historical romance series, one that I re-read from time to time whenever I am in the mood for a fun, witty, romantic period romance. I don't know why I waited so long to begin this break-off series centering on the family of (non)musicians who have hosted the atrocious Smythe-Smith musicales so wonderfully found throughout the Bridgerton books. I am so glad to have read this book at this time. It was a like a glass of fresh water for me, something perfect for a lazy autumnn weekend to keep me swooning and chuckling and sighing with the wonderful characters and dialogue found throughout this book.

I think I'll make this a brief review. This is a story so similar to the other Julia Quinn books I have read, but it does not seem like a tired premise. It feels fresh and sweet, and I loved it.

The things I liked:

Marcus. Quiet, somewhat brooding, but a wonderful friend to Honoria for most of her life. He is an eligible bachelor who never really seems like an eligible bachelor for any part of the book. He shies away from society, and, whether he realizes it yet or not, he only really has eyes for Honoria. A great hero for this story.

Honoria. Yes, she is a terrible musician. But she embraces her lack of skill. She revels in the tradition she is thrown into, and she brings joy to so many of the pages in which she appears. Her care for Marcus as he is at death's door was beautiful.

Friends win in the end. I LOVE romances where good friends end up together at the end. These two aren't just together because they find each other attractive. They are together because they love being around each other. The conversations are sweet and funny and real. Loved that!

Julia Quinn's wit. I LOVE the way Julia Quinn writes her romances. As a reader I can feel the joy she has as she writes. It really does show on the page. Whether her books are my absolute favorites or just ones that I moderately enjoyed, I always love reading them. This one is one of my favorites, making it all the more wonderful to read.

Some amazing romantic scenes when Honoria and Marcus first realize that they love each other. That has to be a bit jarring -- realizing that you are in love with the person you have thought of as a sibling for so much of your life. These scenes are just beautiful and heartwarming and swoon worthy. Loved them!

If you are a Julia Quinn fan, you should love this (not so) new series. If you haven't read any Quinn books, start with the Bridgerton series and then start this one. There are great characters that cross over into this story (Colin -- love him!, and Mrs. Danbury, to name a few). A highly enjoyable historical romance. Four stars! ...more

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Oct 26, 2013 Nana rated it really liked it · review of another edition

It's so nice to read another book from my favorite author.

Jadi cerita ini terjadi barengan dengan cerita si Colin-Penelope (Romancing Mr. Bridgerton) dan Francesca-Michael (When He Was Wicked), dengan event-event yang juga terjadi di dua novel tersebut: Pesta ultah Dowager Countess Bridgerton dan pertunjukan musikal Smythe-Smith di tahun 1824. Yang berarti 2: Ada Colin Bridgerton, my most fav hero dan sepertinya juga most fav character-nya JQ (secara dia nongol di semua buku Bridgerton dengan se ...more

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Jul 30, 2011 Maryam rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-since-january-11, summer-reading

it was AMAZINNGGG!!!TERRIFIC!!! i LOVED it from page 1...ok well not one more like 3ish 5 ish i was grinning ear to ear and some parts i was LITRERALLy,L-O-L-ing. Julia Quinn is superb!! and of course to top everything Ms.Butterworth and the mad baron was mentioned,and when it was i was so happy! lol it just cracks me up! only thing i didnt like about this was they spent almost alll of the book dealing with the fever. But that part was cute too,him being all shirtless and all :) would recommend ...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Michelle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance-historical

Actually 4.5 stars, I loved it and thought it had all of what I think are Quinn standards of endearing characters, great romance and laugh out loud situations. Honoria and Marcus are made for each other and the moment they realize that was a fantastic book moment!

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May 26, 2011 Nana rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: satisfaction, historical-romance, lovely-character-interactions, dude-has-to-brood, light-and-easy-reads, no-unnecessary-misunderstandings-rl, friends-to-lovers

Private thoughts for inner fangirling cue.

I love Julia Quinn's characters. They're heartwarming.

(Note: Yes, I noticed the glitch with Berbrooke. Like I said, I overlook flaws if the story is good (this case awesome) enough for me to love it.) ...more

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